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Running Out Of Hot Water Is Annoying

There can be few worse ways to start the day than the hot water running out while you are having your morning shower. Annoying as having to finish showering in cold water may be, there could be a perfectly simple reason why your water heating system has stopped providing hot water. It could be that other demands are being put upon it, such as hot water being used to heat the radiators. Then it will not be long before heated water is back on tap. If, however, the problem is down to a malfunctioning water heater, it will need further investigation.

Temperature Control

Before putting in a call to the plumber it is well worth checking if there really is a problem with the water heating unit. This will include checking if the temperature control is set properly, if any fuses have blown or if the pilot light on a gas powered system is out. If any of these ‘faults’ are responsible for the lack of hot water, they can be fixed fairly simply. Otherwise the problem could be far more serious and may need the expertise of a plumbing service to fix them.

Faulty Parts

The lack of hot water for the shower and elsewhere in the home may be down to several reasons. It could be faulty parts in the water heating unit, an obstructed flue, the build-up of sediment or a malfunctioning temperature control. When dealing with these problems it is always best to call in the plumbing professionals.

Faulty Valves

Sometimes, hot water can turn cold while you are showering even though hot water is on tap elsewhere in the property, such as the kitchen. This could be because of a faulty shower valve in the bathroom.

There are various reasons why a shower valve may not function properly. They can deteriorate over time, particularly the rubber valves. The heated water, over a long period can make the rubber distort and swell, inhibiting the flow of water. Bits of the rubber breaking off can also lead to blockages in the hot water valve and could be the reason why your showers are turning cold. Most of these require special tools to take apart the fixture and or remove the cartridge, but you need to know what you are doing or you might compound the problem. If in doubt, call in a plumbing professional.

Corrosion

In older properties the problem could be caused by corroded galvanized steel pipes. Corrosion is much less likely to occur in modern properties which have copper or plastic piping installed. In such cases it is best to first shut off the hot water valve and check if it is closed. Opening it may well solve the problem. If not, it may be time to call out a plumbing contractor to deal with the piping.

Contact Horizon Services

With over 20 years of service experience, we have helped thousands of homeowners in the Delaware, Southeastern Pennsylvania, South New Jersey, and Northeastern Maryland areas with their plumbing needs. Our team of plumbing professionals consists of some of the most experienced and most qualified plumbers working today in the Delaware Valley. These are top-notch plumbing technicians who can accurately diagnose and quickly fix any and all plumbing problems. Plumbing emergencies are our specialty!.